ACE 2025 - Game On!
We hope that you will join us in exploring this online summit designed to elevate collaboration among educators and engage participants in innovative discussions about the adult learners' perspectives.
You don't need to commit to a conversation hub selection in advance...but you do need to register here to receive the participation link. Please use an email address from a recognized educational institution.
Again this year, ACE will be held on the Gather platform. See this page for instructions if you are unfamiliar with it.
8:30 to 9:00 Gathering and exploration of the platform
Come in early to explore the space and participate in this gamified meet-and-greet.
9:00 to 10:00 Welcome & Keynote Address
Keynote by Zachary Reznichek
Group Win: Revolutionizing Education Together as Teacher-Gamers
We explore authentic learning and next level engagement through two essential Teacher-Gamer skillsets: "Teaching Through Games" and "How to Play" that both enhance social-emotional learning (SEL) and project-based learning (PBL). Emphasizing the importance of collaborative games, co-creativity through failure, and strategic systems thinking we foster empathy, effective communication and solutionary thinking in the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) world. (Show details)
About the speaker: Author of the Teacher-Gamer Handbook and co-founder of Da Vinci Life-Skills Curriculum, Zach combines his love of games and long history of role-playing games with his Masters in Education and teacher training to write innovative life-skills curricula for adult readiness and biophilic education.
Zach's favorite SFW game: Dungeons & Dragons
10:00 to 10:10 Health Break
10:10 to 12:00 Conversation Hubs
In the Gather space, you can move from one Conversation Hub to another at your convenience. You can spend as much time as you want in any of them. While there, you can actively participate, simply listen, or move on to another hub. The Law of Two Feet applies.
The descriptions below are there for you to discover the topics most relevant to your interests. Clicking on each will reveal more details about the facilitator and their resources.
AGE - VT
Getting Personal: Connecting with Students Through Personal Storytelling
With Suzanne Bonn
In this Conversation Hub, we will consider the potential of personal storytelling to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Let’s see how teachers, professionals, and administrators are integrating their personal experiences into classroom and administrative situations to better connect with students. We’ll also play some games using our personal stories! (Show details)
About the facilitator: Suzanne Bonn holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics, taught ESL at the university-level, and now works at Literacy Unlimited, a non-profit helping adults in the West Island of Montreal. She is a workshop facilitator for Équipe-choc SEC.
Suzanne's favorite SFW game: Boggle
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
Books:
McCourt, F. 2005. Teacher Man. New York: Scribner.
Dicks, M. 2018. Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling. Novato, CA: New World Library.
AGE
Designing and Playing Games in Social Sciences
With Paul Rombough
With Paul Rombough
Discover how designing and playing games can motivate and engage students, help them internalize course content and key concepts, and even practice the “intellectual operations” evaluated in provincial exams. Tour, try, and discuss LEARN's new resources and curriculum-specific contexts for game-based learning in Social Sciences. (Show details)
About the facilitator: LEARN's Pedagogical and RECIT Consultant and in Social Sciences. Former History and English teacher online for LEARN’s Virtual Campus, as well as in high schools in Joliette, Ormstown, Kanehsatà:ke, Mistissini, and way up north in Salluit.
Pauls's favorite SFW game: Snooker
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
AGE - VT
Cultivating Balance with AI and Digital Tools
With Stacy Allen and Chris Colley
With Stacy Allen and Chris Colley
Come join the conversation around how artificial intelligence can support all educators. We will show you some cool tools to make your professional life easier. (Show details)
About Stacy: She is an educational consultant with LEARN-RÉCIT, provincial services for the Anglophone community. She is passionate about Education for Truth and Reconciliation, language learning and educational technology.
Stacy's favorite SFW game: Minecraft
About Chris: He is a consultant at LEARN with over 25 years in education. Love tech and teachers!
Chris' favorite SFW game: Civilization
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
AGE - VT
The Who, What, How and Why of Gamification
With Nolan Bazinet
With Nolan Bazinet
Explore the essential considerations for incorporating games-based learning into vocational education across various fields. In this hub, participants will reflect on key questions and strategies to effectively integrate games-based learning into their practice, equipping them with the tools to design their own engaging learning experiences.(Show d etails)
About the facilitator: Nolan Bazinet, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the Université de Sherbrooke, researches multiliteracy development through technology and the educational role of play and games. He also teaches in the Bachelor of Vocational Education program.
Nolan's favorite SFW game: Yume Nikki
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
AGE - VT
So you think you know SARCA?
With Miriam Furfaro
With Miriam Furfaro
Let's discuss some of the challenges that Services d'accueil, de référence, de conseil et d'accompagnement (SARCA) faces with regards to Reception (1st and 2nd level), Referral, Counselling and Support Services. How can we improve the services offered, and how can we start to look SARCA Services a little differently... (Show details)
About the facilitator: National SARCA Representative - Anglophone Sector for Quebec. I have over 20 years experience in the Adult Education and Vocational Training sector working in various centres and mandates including SARCA, Transitions, and RAC. Learn more in my bio/image.
[Facilitator First Name]'s favorite SFW game: Telestrations
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
AGE - VT
Introduction to ABC Life Literacy Canada and Its Programs
With Savanna Busia
With Savanna Busia
Join us to learn all about ABC Everyday Numbers - our program designed to support numeracy skills. We’ll showcase the resources available, highlight recent updates, explain how to book and organize a workshop, and answer any questions you might have. We’ll also take you through a workshop demo, ensuring you’re ready to deliver the resources in your community. (Show details)
About the facilitator: Savanna is the Community Coordinator for Quebec and Atlantic Canada at ABC Life Literacy Canada. She supports literacy initiatives, fosters partnerships, and helps expand program access to empower learners and organizations across the region.
Savanna's favorite SFW game: Duel by 7 Wonders
ABC Everyday Numbers Resources:
ABC Everyday Numbers Host a Workshop form
AGE - VT
Unlock SEC Insights: A Fun Learning Journey
With Lucie Tremblay
With Lucie Tremblay
Come and complete the 3 steps of the SEC journey to uncover the clues and unlock an exclusive gift! Each step will help you reflect on 3 key themes related to Complementary Educational Services. At every stage, you’ll receive valuable insights, practical tools, and resources to enhance your professional practice. Ready for the challenge? Let’s get started! (Show details)
About the facilitator: Lucie Tremblay is an orthopédagogue on the Accompagnement National Team for the English sector in Complementary Educational Services. With 12 years of experience supporting adults in the AGE and VT sectors, she is passionate about engaging and understanding students' needs.
Lucie's favorite SFW game: Guess who!
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
VT
Professional Learning Community Creation
With Joseph Rainone
With Joseph Rainone
The Electromechanics department at Rosemount Technology Centre (RTC) partnered with PROCEDE to standardize exams, aiming for three versions per competency by June 2023. Professional development addressed pedagogical gaps among new teachers, fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous feedback to enhance assessment creation. We created a professional learning community (PLC) at the end of our journey! (Show details)
About the facilitator: Joseph Rainone, head of Automated Systems Electromechanics at RTC, has experience in aviation, nuclear, and oil valve industries. Passionate about robotics and AI, I have been teaching since 2015 and led initiatives like standardized exams and educational symposiums at RTC.
Joseph's favorite SFW game: Cannot decide
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
AGE
Se donner le défi du français dans le plaisir!
Avec Geneviève Ducharme et/ Marc-Albert Paquette
Avec Geneviève Ducharme et/ Marc-Albert Paquette
Amenez vos apprenant·es de français en FGA et en francisation à développer leurs compétences linguistiques dans le plaisir en découvrant le passeport de prise de risque linguistique. Prenons un moment pour discuter de son utilisation dans votre salle de classe et de ses visées pédagogiques! (Show details)
À propos de Geneviève: Elle est conseillère pédagogique au Centre de développement de compétences Vimont et Lachute à la CS Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
Son jeu favori: Jungle Speed
À propos de Marc-Albert: Il conseiller pédagogique provincial en FLS pour LEARN-RÉCIT SN à la communauté anglophone. Il est également impliqué auprès de l’Association québécoise pour l’enseignement du français, langue seconde.
Son jeu favori: Milles Bornes
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
AGE - VT
Literacy across the Curriculum
With Micheline Ammar and Julie Robitaille
With Micheline Ammar and Julie Robitaille
How does literacy impact adult learners' success? What strategies do you use to enhance a learner's potential for success? (Show details)
About the facilitators: Micheline and Julie are national pedagogical consultants making up l'Équipe-choc Pedagogical, whose mandate is to support the English AGE network with regard to pedagogy, curriculum implementation and evaluation.
Their favorite SFW games: Scrabble, Jeopardy, Trivial Pursuit
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
AGE - VT
Gamified Learning with Grown-Ups?
With Susan Oliver
With Susan Oliver
Does gamification have the same benefits with adult learners as with children and teens? Is it a promising strategy to support adult learners and construct a dynamic learning setting? Come discuss how escape room games, virtual reality and other technologies can be used for gamified learning with grown-ups. (Show details)
About the facilitator: Active in the VT and AGE sectors for over 30 years, Susan is currently working for the LBPSB as an Education Consultant. She also lectures at Université de Sherbrooke in the Bachelor of Vocational Education program.
Susan's favorite SFW game: Augmented reality escape rooms
Resources for the Conversation Hub:
The evaluation of gamification implementation for adult learners
12:00 to 12:15 Closing Remarks
The 2025 ACE organizing committee
James Burn
RÉCIT Vocational Training
I provide trainings, lead workshops, and support staff in VT centres across Quebec. Passionate about all kinds of video games!
Paulette Cake
RÉCIT Adult General Education
Curious educator who offers digital culture support focusing on Assistive Tech & Collaboration. My favourite SFW game: Hitster
Sara Chenette
RÉCIT Adult General Education
I help educators navigate an ever changing tech landscape and aim to leave people and places better than when I found them. My favourite game is Jackaroo!
Karen Colwell
RÉCIT Adult General Education
I support digital culture development in centers by helping staff and teachers integrate, with confidence, relevant technology into their lessons. My favourite game at the moment is Words of Wonders
Robin Long
PROCEDE
I help VT teachers integrate mindful pedagogy into their practice and I like card games.
Giovanna Salvagio
RÉCIT Adult General Education
Inspire educators to embrace digital pedagogy and heart-centered teaching methods to create impactful learning environments. Enjoy card games such as 2 cents and poker!
Marc Vézina
RÉCIT Vocational Training
I help VT educators integrate digital tools in teaching, learning, and evaluation—bringing experience, enthusiasm, and a love for Scrabble!